By Aimee ElectrolysisThere are two diagrams above because oneshows the anode on the left side whilst theother shows the anode on the right side.The anode is the positive electrode whilstthe cathode is the negative electrode. Remember though that positive ions arecalled cations whilst negative ions are called anions. The flow of electronsalways goes from the positive electrode 0 the anode to the negative electrode ­ thecathode.The solution in which the electrodes are put in is called the electrolyte.Electrolysis is the breaking down/ decomposition of a substance using electricity.The electrolyte used are usually free ions dissolved in water, it is these free ionsthat conduct the electricity.When electrolysis happens, the least reactive elements are given off at theelectrodes, e.g. sodium chloride solution = so in this electrolysisreaction, at the cathode, we would have hydrogen gas being released whilst at theanode, we would have chlorine gas being given off. And then left in the solutionwould be sodium hydroxide left.The flow of electrons comes from the electrons being taken away from the negativeions that come to the positive anode as they have extra electrons that make them

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By Aimeenegatively charged. So they lose these electrons which move round the circuit tothe cathode to where positively charged ions come to, then the electrons are givento these element ions to make their charge neutral. Electrolysis of different substances require different metal electrodes, additionally, the solution changes as well depending on the substance being broken down.For higher tier You may need to be asked to write the halfequations of anelectrolysis process.…read more